Ditching-machikte



UFFICE.

JOHN \V. BARCROFT, OF FRIENDSHIP, VIRGINIA.

DITCI-IING-MACHINE.

n Specification of Letters Patent No. 27,419, dated March 13, 1860.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. W. BARcRorT, of Friendship, in the county of Fairfax and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ditching and Dredging Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1, is a side view of my improved machine. Fig. 2, is a vertical transverse section of the same, through the center. Fig. 3, is a vertical transverse section of the same in t-he line y, y, and Fig. t, is a plan of the same.

Similar letters of reference, in each of the several figures, indicate corresponding parts.

The nature of my invention consists, rst, in the combination of buckets or scoops, having hinged falling bottoms, with a guard of such shape that it keeps the bottoms of the buckets from falling until the proper time for discharging the dirt which has been dug or scooped up, and then allows the bottoms to fall, and after the discharge of the dirt has taken place, raises the bottoms to their original position ready for another digging or scooping operation.

It consists, second, in combining the guard with the frame, which carries the buckets, by means of brackets having friction rollers suspended on them, so that not-withstanding the frame moves independently of the guard, the guard becomes a support to it when strain on the buckets in digging or scooping occurs.

To enable others, skilled in the art, to make and use'my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

The general construction of my machine is very similar to one previously patented by me, and therefore I have only represented those parts to which my present improvement belongs.

A, represents a portion of the frame.

B, the central shaft or axle on which the scooping or digging wheel C, is arranged fast. D, is the inclined conducting or discharge spout situated so as to receive the dirt at a point above the shaft.

The digging wheel consists of a circular frame a, ct, which is open at front and at its circumference, and of a series of scoop shaped buckets b, b, which have their bottoms d, hinged at c, but loose at d1. This wheel encircles a stationary annular guard E, which extends from one side of the discharge spout round in a circle to within a short distance of the other side and here terminating in a twisted form, z'. e. turning inward so that its broadest portion faces outward and its end rests square but loosely against the closed head of the digging wheel, as represented in the drawings.

The guard E, is attached fast to the frame, and serves to keep the bottoms of the buckets closed, until the proper time for discharging. It also serves for closing the bottoms of the buckets after the discharge has been effected. The guard is combined loosely with the frame a, a, of the digging wheel by means of brackets e, and friction rollers f, as represented; said brackets and rollers being arranged so as not to interfere with the revolution of the digging wheel, but at the same time to support the wheel against the outward strain on it produced by the buckets in digging or scooping up the earth.

The hinged bottoms of the buckets may have friction rollers on their underside, so that they shall run easily over the curved portion of the guard.

The operation is as follows: The machine being set in motion, the wheel revolves, and in its revolution the buckets dig or scoop up the earth and carry it up above the axle or shaft. At this point, the guard no longer holds the bottoms of the buckets from falling, consequently the bottoms drop to an inclined position on the inclined conductor or discharge spout and allows the dirt to fall out of the buckets, into said spout. The discharge being effected and the wheel continuing its revolution, the empty bucket passes along and its bottom, by coming in Contact with the twisted end of the guard is closed ready for another digging or scooping operation.

Vhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of buckets or scoops b, having hinged falling bottoms d, with a guard E of such shape that it keeps the bottoms of the buckets from falling until the proper time for discharging the dirt which has been dug or scooped up, and then allows Q .Y pai 27,419

the bottoms to fall, and after the discharge them, substantially as and for the purposes of the dit has takei place, raise tle bot set forth. toms to t eir origina osition rea y or another digging or scoopring operation. JOHN W' BAROROFT 5 2. Combining Jshe guard with the frame a, Witnesses:

which carries the buckets by means of brack- GOODWIN Y. AT LEE, ets e having friction rollers f, suspended on R. W. FENWICK. 

